Zap It With Zinc — Why It Matters

Here’s the deal: The common cold is usually caused by a virus, meaning no number of antibiotics can beat it. A cold can be caused by more than 100 different bugs, but the rhinovirus is the most common. Best of all, it’s highly contagious and can be spread through the air or by hand-to-hand contact (so wash up)! The sickly symptoms can appear just about anywhere in the head and chest, including sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, congestion, or just all around aches and fatigue.

Cold Shoulder — The Answer/Debate

While all signs seem to point to yes, we do still have our reservations about this cold-zapper. While research shows zinc lozenges can be effective, the same benefits may not carry over to zinc sprays and other types of supplements, or to the zinc naturally found in foodZinc lozenges may shorten the duration of colds: a systematic review. Hemilä, H. Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. The Open Respiratory Medical Journal, 2011;5:51-8. Epub 2011 Jun 23.. While the daily recommended value of zinc is only 12 to 15 mg, one study suggests it may take upwards of 75mg in lozenge form to have any effect on coldsZinc lozenges may shorten the duration of colds: a systematic review. Hemilä, H. Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. The Open Respiratory Medical Journal, 2011;5:51-8. Epub 2011 Jun 23..